Carton loading machine



L. E. ARNEsoN 2,608,330

6 Sheets-Sheet l CARTON LOADING MACHINE Aug. 26, 1952 Filed Jan. 15, 1947 A118- 26, 1952 L. E. ARNEsoN 2,608,330

CARTON LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1947 's sheets-sheet 2 Lu 2 E w E l l A2 Y INVENTOR. ''rfzeo/z,|

@A Ag @MAMMA/AMM 6 Sheets-Sheet C5 Aug. 26, 1952 E. ARNEsoN CARTON LoADlNG MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1947 Aug. 26, 1952 L. E. ARNESQN $08,330

CARTON LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1947 1 l 'ssheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR.

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BY i WMM/V mu@ Aug. 26, 1952 L. E. ARNESON 2,608,330

CARTON LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENToR. Zaza/76220@ Uf/aegon,

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' CARTON LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1947 e sheets-sheet e IN VEN TOR. aw/@fzcffraem Patented Aug. 26, 1952 CARTON LOADING MACHINE Lawrence E. Arneson, Morris, 111` assignor to Morris Paper Mills, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application January 15, 1947, Serial No. 722,145

(Cl. 22S- 14) 26 Claims.

The present invention pertains particularly to an apparatus and method for loading a number of articles, for example, filled and capped beverage bottles, into a container, carton or like paper board carrier therefor; although it will be apparent from the description to follow that the principle of the invention is also more generally adapted to the charging of elongated articles of any nature into an enclosing cell-type box, crate or carton.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for automatically loading articles of the type described into a cellular container or carrier by a continuous, uninterrupted sequence of operations, which method and apparatus eliminate damaging impacts on the articles, as well as the resultant noise and clatter which characterize existing automatic container loading methods.

Another object is to provide a simple and inexpensive, continuously operative machine` for charging groups of articles from a traveling series thereof into a container which is fed into the path of advance of the articles and is advanced therewith in a continuous and uninterrupted fashion during certain improved and simplied loading operations.

Yet another object is to provide a method and apparatus for loading elongated articles into a cell-type container therefor, wherein said articles travel longitudinally in parallel rows; are tipped laterally onto their sides while traveling, in such manner that their length is normal to the directionof advance; are then shifted endwise to ward one another into the respective cells of the carrier, which is positioned between the rows and advances with the articles; and are finally restored to a vertical position in said cells, all without interrupting the continuous advance of the articles and carrier.

A still further object is to provide a containerI loading machine of the above type, including means for feeding articles to be loaded, preferably in parallel paths, and a novel device associated with said means to supply containers in predeterminedrelation to the path or paths of feed of the'articles.

More specifically, it is an object to providean apparatus including a number of continuously traveling partitioned carriages, each adapted to receive a selected number of articles during travel thereof, to transport said articles in the compartments thereof while the articles are automatically deected to a horizontal article inserting position, to engage and forward an empty, erected, cellular carton or carrier, to initially insert the ends of the articles into the article-receiving cells of the carrier while forwarding the latter, and to subsequently restore the article to an upstanding position in said cells, Without interruption of the continuous movement of the carriages.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general way of the nature of the invention, but other and more specific objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the construction and operation of the device.

i A single embodiment of the invention is presented herein for purpose of exemplication, but it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible of incorporation in other modified forms coming equally within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig.V 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating the container loading method of the invention, as well as a practical apparatus for performing the same, the articles being illustrated in solid lines in various positions occupied by the same during their continuous handling by the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus, further illustrating the steps of the method performed thereby as well asmore clearly showing certain details of the apparatus;

Fig. 2A is a fragmentary detail in side elevation viewed from line 2A-2A of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a view in end'elevation, viewed approximately on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, still further illustrating the apparatus and method, and in particular the article deecting operation and means; r

Fig. 4. is a view in end elevation, viewed from the right of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a more detailed View of the article translating carriage, viewed from line 5i-5 of Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the arrangement of dividerfence'and article tilting means l of the invention; l

Fig. '7 is an end elevation, viewed from line 'l-l of Fig. l, showing further details of a carton transfer device associated with the machine; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in section on line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

The present invention provides a novel and improved method for loading articles into containers therefor as a continuous and uninterrupted procedure. While the apparatus and method are specifically devised for the loading of beverage bottles into paper board containers In any adaptation, the invention eliminates destructive shock and impacts on the articles and resultant breakage, noise and clatter, drawbacks which characterize practically all present day loading procedures. Specifically, with reference to the field of bottle loading, the high speed of operation of the machine provides a high output capacity -equalling or surpassing the output rate of conventional bottle iilling and capping machines, thereby removing a serious restricalon on the output of a carton loadingV department heretofore imposed by intermittently operative carton loading devices. l

The apparatus of the present inventionincludes an angle iron framework, generally designated lil, preferably enclosed in a sheet metal casing l l and provided with adjustable feet i2 to support the same in a level position on a Iloor surface.

'A conventional electric drivingmotor i3 is bolted on a lower cross bar or bars tl of the frame. lil, said motor driving a sprocket l on the Vshaft of a conventional speed reducer it, to whichthe motor is connected. Sprocket t5 `is connected by a driving chain l?! with a sprocket t8 secured to hand or discharge end of the apparatus, as viewed I in Figs. 1 and 2. Said sprockets have four identical conveyor chains 23 vtrained therearound and driven thereby, and the chains drivingly engage the respective, longitudinally spaced sprockets 24 which are located adjacent but spaced inwardly from theopposite of charge-in side of the apparatus. Sprockets 2li, like sprockets 22, are arranged in axially spaced pairs on opposite lsides of the longitudinal center line of theapparatus, in alignment with the respective sprockets 22, and are secured to the transverse driven shaft 25, which is appropriately mounted in bearings 26 on the frame side members 2 i IThe chains ZScarry a .plurality or" sectional Yloading carriages, generally designated 2, ,of

which there are four pair in the illustrated einbodiment. These carriages are secured in e 'uall :s q .V

`spaced longitudinal relation yto one another on the chains, by individual connector members 2S 7and are thus continuously translated orbitally by riers, will be hereinafter described at greater length.

ln addition to the conveyor sprockets 24 the driven shaft 25 has secured thereto a driving sprocket 36 of somewhat smaller size, which has a drive chain 3l trained therearound. Chain 3| serves to actuate a further sprocket 32 nxed on a transverse stub shaft 33, said stub shaft eing journaled in bearing bracketsJ 3d which are sustained by angle iron cross member 35 on the frame of the apparatus. The shaft 33 has a pair of laterally spaced conveyor drive sprockets 3S secured thereon, which are located immediately adjacent opposite sides oi the longitudinal center line of the apparatus, and the chaintype, travelling plate or platform conveyors 31 pass over and are driven by the respective sprockets. Conveyors 3l each include a series of closely spaced plate like, article supporting elements 33 of rectangular outline, each of which is secured to link 3S or the articulated sprocket driven chains dil, whereby on the horizontal flight of the conveyors 31 apractically continuous, article Vsupporting surface is afforded. At their opposite end the conveyors si pass around the aligned sprockets di. These rotate with a shaft Il? which is appropriately carried in bearing C33 supported by brackets on an end cross member of the machine frame.

' Referring to Fig. it will benoted that conveyors 3l extend outwardly through an aperture il in the frame casing vi l, so that it is possible to introduce into the present apparatus, as a subtitu-te for the conveyors illustrated, the similar discharge conveyors of other equipment with which this 'machine is conjointly operated. Such provision contributes a substantial measure of ilexibility or adaptability tothe machine.

In order to support the vconveyors 3l for a fiat, Vhorizontal travel. through the operating agencies to 'be described Aprovide a pair of elongated tracks i6 `located 'beneath the links of chains 48, along which said links slide throughout the upper-'conveyor nights. These tracks are appro- VpriatelyV -supported on the machine frame.. ln

addition the conveyors are laterally separated by a longitudinally extending, parallel fence and supporting bar Sli, said bar being bolted on the spaced cross ties ill, 52 which are carried by extensions '553 of the bearing brackets de, 34 respectively. Bar 5S is composite in character, inu

-cluding the longitudinally .aligned portions 5d,

55 connected to one another adjacent the midpoint of 'the bar by a pin 56 which serves as a pivot pin for certain parts hereinafter described.

It is the 1"'unction oi the conveyor 3l to transport bottles or like articles, generally designated B, in parallel rows into the present machine, for instance, upon issuance thereof from a lling 'and capping apparatus. It will 'be assumed that the present machine, on its charge-in side, is associated with appropriate means for disposing the bottles in theaforesaid'parallel rows, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The advancing rows of bottles B are received by the conveyors t? at the initial, charge-in zone thereof, denoted sone A in Fig. 2, on either side of the longitudinally extending fence and sup- Vunits or sections, denoted 60, 6l and 62.

vsite end.

The carriages are each constituted by three Each section includes a base 63 which is secured individually to the pairs of chains 23 drivingthe tracks 64 (just as in the case of the conveyor l chains 40), said tracks being vertically sustained `at one end by theinverted U-shaped, strap-like brackets 65 bolted on the angle iron cross member 35, and by similar provisions at the oppo- (See Fig. 1.)

The upper surface of the bases B3 of the carriage sections 6U, 6| and 62 is partitioned off by surface and separator plates 66, 61 andr68 respectively, the plates 66 and 68 being L-.shaped in outline and the central plate '61 of U-shaped configuration. Accordingly, each of the bases is provided with a top, article supporting surface 69 and the three sections are separated into compartments 10 approximating the width of a bottle by the upstanding partition fins 1 I which, at least when the carriage is traversing its upper horizontal reach, are disposed in parallel, equally spaced relation.

. The fins 1l extend laterally only a portion of .the width of thecarriage and outwardly thereof each of the carriage sections is provided with an upstanding outer shoulder 12 which has a transverse bore 13 at its midpoint for the slidable reception of a plunger pin. The pins associated with carriage sections 66, 6l and 62 are respectively designated 14, 15 and 16, to distinguish the same, and each is provided with an enlarged article engaging plunger head 11 on the inner side `of shoulder 12 which is normally retracted resiliently outwardly and held in engagement with said shoulder, as by a coil tension spring 18. Referring to Fig. 2A it will be noted that the plunger pins 15 and 16 are located at the same vertical level, while the third pin 14, corresponding to the trailing section 60 of the carriage is at a slightly lower level. However all of the plunger heads 11 are arranged at the same level, those on sections 6l and 62 being concentric with their pins and the head on pin 14 being offset slightly from coaxial relation.

The central carriage section 6l,.in addition to the plunger pin 15, also slidably` receives a reciprocable blade 19, being provided for this purpose with a horizontal, laterally extending recess 80 immediately beneath its article supporting surface 69. The base of the section 6l is vertically cut away behind its compartment 10 to accommcdate` a coil compression spring 6| which acts against the downwardly flanged outer extremity of blade 19 to normally urge the latter outwardly; and said extremity is connected to a thrust pin. 82 which is slidably received in a transverse bore B3 in the shoulder 12 of carriage section 6|. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that bore 83 is at a substantially lower level than the plunger pin bores 13.

It is the function of blade 19 to initially engage a carton or carrier of the type exemplified by the VaforesaidArnescn patents, at the middle cell thereof, and to sever and inwardly swing certain accesso `6 transverse partition elements of the carton `by rupturing the slight paper nibs by which said elements are connected` to the side Wall ofthe carton or carrier. In the event a different `type carrier or container is being loaded it may loe `that blade 19 and its associated elements mayv `be eliminated.

AThe function of the plunger pins 14,15, 16 and heads 11 is to thrust the bottles B into respective, laterally aligned cells of the carrier C at an apprcpriate phase in the cycle of operation of the machine, as will be described in detail.

Carrie-ges 21 are completed by a guide and bearing roller 84 journalled on a vertical pivot adjacent the inner side of each of the component carriage sections 60, 6l and 62, the periphery of said rollers inwardly overhanging slots in `therespective sections. These rollers have engagement with certain vertically disposed, parallel, longitudinal guide tracks or surfaces 85 during the hereinafter described operation of the above described plunger devices. i

When the leading six bottles have been transported by conveyors 31 into lateral alignment with the six respective compartments 10 of the carriages 21 on each side thereof, the forward pair thereof momentarily engage a xed, cushioned transverse Ibumper .86 supported by a vertical stem or bolt 81 on the portion 55 of fence bar 56, thereby insuringthat the group of bottles is in` closely spaced relation in zone B prior to being deflected laterally toward horizcntal'position by the instrumentalities now to be described. With the leading six bottles aligned in zone B with the carriage compartments 10, in the man- `ner illustrated in Fig. 2, a pair ofA oppositely oscillating, L-shaped rod arms 9!) now come into operation, the parallel, horizontallyA extending portions 9| thereof engaging and deflecting the respective sets of three bottles laterally in. opposite directions until the .bottle necks rest against the fixed parallel guiding rods 92. Said rods are integral with a transverse yoke 92 weldedon a central, vertically extending fbracket 93 that is secured on fence portion 54, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The upright portions 94 of arms 90 are pivoted on the intermediate, fence-connecting pin 56 at points adjacent but spaced above their lower ends. On the lower side of the pivot said arm portions 94 are provided with anti-friction cam follower rollers 94 which are spring urged toward and make engagement with face cam 95 affixed to the sides of drive sprocket 30, in such manner as to cause the arms to swingoppositely and tilt the bottles outwardly against the guide rods 92in planes extending vertically of the respective carriage compartments' 10.

As stated, the bottles will be tilted against the Ahorizontal guide rods 92 practically simultaneously withrthe contact ofthe foremost thereof with bumper 86. Referring to Fig. 3, it willfibe noted that when they are resting againstthe guide rods the bodies of the bottles are positioned laterally outwardly of the bumper `86; so that the latter `no longer can interfere with their advance, and are also positioned vertically sufficiently within the partition fins 1| of the carriages 21 to be advanced into the succeeding zone C in part iby the carriages 21, as Well as by the conveyors '31, the butts or bottoms of the bottles resting 'onsaid conveyors and the body 'portions thereof being engageable by the carriage partition fins 1|.

Upon` being advanced through zone C, the bodies of the bottles slide along the terminal por-` 7 4tioiisflt of'guide rods 92, which are downwardly and laterally outwardly inclined, so that the bottle necks are gradually lowered to dispose the 'bottles horizontally in carriage compartments lll. "In sliding forwardly and downwardly-fon guide rod extensicns's the bases of the bottles come into engagement with the fixed angular plow 9'! positioned on the fence bar '5a centrally of the path of advance of the rows ol bottles, whereby the bottles are shoved outwardto a uniform lateral position concurrently with vtheir forward and lowering movement on the carriages. As stated, the guide rod extremities QG diverge outwardly as `Well as incline downwardly so that lthe bottles are positively supported at all times duringaction thereon by thelplow and rods. As a result, the bottles are deposited horizontally and uniformly aligned longitudinally in the com'pai-tn'ieiits`,"iii` of the respective carriages 2l as they pass into and :through the next Zone D ofthe machine, wherein carriers or cartons C are delivered to the Asaine for subsequent reception of the bottles.A

.A previously set-up paper board carton or'carrier of the type shown and described in the above Yidentiiied .patentsto Arnes'onlis now delivered to 'the apparatus in the path `of and between the concurrently advancing pair of carriages 2l by means of the carton supply mechanism f the ,present machine, which I have generally designated by the reference numeral ldd.

This 'may "be any suitablev instrumentality .fo insuring Athe Ysuccessive `supply of erected bottle .carriers in properpcsit'ion between-the' advancing carriages 2l, to .be engaged thereby and ad- -vanced concurrently therewith. A structurel adequate for the intended purpose is shown in Figs. l, 2, fland 7.

The illustrated mechanism lili! includes a piv- Otaltransfer member Mil pro-vided witha rearwardly directed pivot arm l by which the 'member is oscillatably mounted for vertical swinging movement on pivot H33 supported by-.bar 56. Member lill has a pair'of laterally spaced flanges its of angle iron construction yadapted to receive opposite side corners of the base of a carton C slid thereonto and a pair of more closely spaced rods I adapted to pass on either'side of the apex of the Arneson type carton referred to above, when said member lill is elevated from the solid line position of Fig. 1, Y

` transfer. member tdi fisV 'actuated to lower the Vsame into and'betwee'n the path of advance of carriages 2l. Y v Y The transfer member is rnade upof rod' and sheet metal 'elements welded together at the contact points thereof to provide a cradle-like construction, as illustrated in Figs. l and 7.

The means for actuating transfer member IUI (see Figf'?) consists" of a cam Sill secured to the sprocketv stub shaft 33 and engageable with a Vroller camfollower 'Hi8 locatedr on the pivot arm A H32 of the transfer member iti immediately adjacent the pivot H33 for said arm. Cam I ll'l 'is properly shaped whereby member lill is periodically Q.Seillaitedjntimed relation tothe .move- In'the position illustrated ment of carriages 2T and bottles Bto receive a ber' i3! is beingraised and returned and is in lowered position. Y Y

'- The base ofthe transfer mechanism lill is aligned horizontallywith a longitudinally lextend- -iiig central'slideway H9 supported by inverted YU -shaped standards lid on the machinerframe, alongwhich slideway cartons delivered by said member are shifted by carriages 2l, said slidey-wayrroeing out away at ill to receive said member. For this purpose inwardly directed lugs or fingers H2 are provided on the rear of each carriage 2l to engage the` rear side of the carton C and translate the same onto and overthe slideway `lll, Vsaid' fingers being positioned 'so' that the article receiving apertures of the'cartonkor carrier are in lateral alignment, as' the carrier is translated, witli'the respective cells of thecarrien As illustrated in Fig. l, the slideway .is so `located vertically that the lower margin of the side apertures 'of saidv bottle carrier or cartonv C are approximately aligned witlrrbut no higherA than, the lower side ofthe reclining bottles B in the car riage compartments l.

With the carton engaged and kadvanced by the spaced pair of carriages 2l and the. bottles uniformly-disposed inthe compartments of the carriages, the latter then pass from zone D into zoneYE, in which the bottles Aare shifted laterally inwardly into the cell apertures ofthe bottle carrier. This operation is ,effected bythe plunger devices 75l, l5, 'i6 and the blade 19, and in order to sustain and stabilize the carriages "2i during operation of said devices and blade `travel of the carriage in zone E, the plungers being depressed by means of the fiXed cams H3 and e lift on the machine fratrie sides, against whichthe plunger pins lil, l5, le engage.'V (See Figs. 2 and 2A.) vHowever, inasmuch as the Arneson typecarrier referred to vnormally has the middle openings on each side wall thereof 'temporarily closed by inwardly swingable transverse partition'and cell defining members, which are normally attached to theY side wall of the carrier by; small connecting nibs or tabs, it is necessaryl that these medial partitionrnembers be ep'arated from the carton side wall and swung inwardly before the center 'bottle canbe inserted by its coacting plunger. This operation is performed byl the reciprocable blade l, thethrust pin 82 of which is actuable by the fixedcam H5 on Ythe machine frame, the timingbeing such that the blade engages said partitions and severs the same from the carton side wall' immediately prier to beginning the vlateral shiftingofrthe central'bottle on the carriage.

As wil1 be noted in Fig. 2A, the cam H3 islocated at the saine vertical level as the plunger pins l5, :a carried respectively by vsections vSi, 62 of the travelling carriages 2l; theplungerpin 'i4 of Vthe lsection vEil is at the verticallevel .of

cam H4; which blade thrustpin 82is aligned ilrstoperation in zone E. Thrust pin 82 next enr gages and rides on cam H5 to urge blade 19inwards and break the carton transverse partitions from its side walls; and subsequently the medial plunger pin 'l5 rides up on cam H3 to shift the bottle from the compartment '10 of center carriage section 6I into the thus openedcell of the carton. Following inwardmovementreach of the pins 14, l5, i6 and 82 is retracted by its associated spring.

When the three bottles have been fully in-V serted in the lateral direction into the apertures of the carrier side walls, it is only necessary that they be restored to vertical position in the carton apertures, which operation is performed in zone F by means of the forwardly, upwardly and inwardly inclined restoring arms I IB of rodlike character, which are xedly secured on the machine frame in any desired fashion. These engage beneathythenecks of the forward pair of bottles in the carriages 21 to swing inwardly and elevate the `same `coincident with its forward movement, and they engage similarly and successively'beneath the necks of the two other bottles on each carriage. Thus the bottles are tipped inwardly in Verticalplanes from opposite sides of the carrier or carton and, after being tilted to bring their respectivecenters of gravity or by any other instrumentality which is desired.`

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present method and apparatus of loading" containers eliminate article breakage by handling the articles in a gradual and progressive, yet continuously operative and relatively rapid, procedure, to the endthat abrupt shocks which result in much breakagearegreatly` reduced. The slightA outward tilting Aarc of movement of the bottles as they are actuated'by deflecting arms' 9G to a positionV of rest against the guide rods 92 is insuiicientj'under'any circumstances to result in fracture or breakage, and this abrupt movement is only necessitated by the need to accomplish a quickvinitialintroduction of the bottles in the carriage cells l0. Thereafter, the operations of lowering, ,longitudinally` aligning, laterally inserting and restoring to vertical position are all performedby progressively operative plow-type mechanisms, savefor the. plunger elements, which also impart ,no destructive shock whatsoever to the articles. All of these devices are unfailingly operative in their desired functions. The machine is exceedingly compact and simple in Construction and occupies but a fraction of the floor spacerequired by conventional means employed for a similar purpose.

I believe it is lnovel withme to devise a con-,-

10 tinuous method andlapparatus whereby groups of vertically arranged elongated articles are rst lowered and disposed horizontally in a longitudinally aligned relation, then lshifted laterally inwardy in groups," in the direction of 4their lengths, for initial carton insertion, and are iinally restored to desired position in thecarton by vertically upward swinging thereof. The carton delivery provisions are also `generally novel in nature, particularly in their embodiment with a carton loading machine of the above type. Therefore, I desire that the invention -be construed` no more narrowly than is reasonably indicated by the appended claims. `I`claim: W

1. A method of loading containers withelongated articles comprising the steps of longitudinally advancing an upright article, deflecting the article laterally toward a horizontally disposed position while continuing to advance the same in the same general direction, advancing a container adjacent one side of the article, causing relative lateral shift of the deflected article and the container to introduce the article `into the latter from a side thereof, and moving said article relative to said container to position the same in upright position in the container.

2. A method of loading cell-type` containers with elongated articles, comprising the steps of serially advancing upright articles in4 longitudinally aligned relation, derlecting a group of said articles laterally toward a horizontally disposed position, disposing a container adjacent said group on one side thereof, shifting the deilected articles ofthe group toward the container to introduce corresponding ends of the same into certain of the container cells, and verticallytiltingthe articles of said group-relative to said container to position the same in upright po sition in said cells.

3. A method of loading cell-type `containers with` elongated articles, comprising the steps of serially advancing upright articles in longitudinally aligned relationdeflectinga group of said articles laterally toward a horizontally disposed position, `advancing a container adjacent and parallel with said group on one side thereof, shifting the deflected articles of the group toward the container to introduce corresponding ends of the same into certain ofthe container cells, and vertically tilting the articles of said group relative to said container to position the same in upright position in said cells.

4. A method of loading cell-type containers with elongated articles, comprising the steps of serially advanced upright articles in longitudinally aligned relation, deflecting a group of said articles laterally toward a horizontally disposed cells, While advancing the container `and group,

tion while continuing to advancethe articles in.

the same general direction, *continuously` advancaeoaeeo ing a container concurrently with and generally Vparallel to said group on one side thereof, shift-y container disposed on one side thereof, laterally shifting the ends of said non-upright articles toward the container in a horizontal sidewise direction substantially normal to the direction of advance of the articles and container, thereby to bring said articles into register with and partially in certain of the container cells, and 4 elevating the op-posite ends of said articles Whereby to gravitationally deposit the same in upright position in said cells.

7. A method of depositing elongated articles in a cell-type container, comprising continuously and concurrently .advancing in a longitudinal path a group of the articles disposed in non-upright position and a container disposed on one side thereof, laterally shifting the ends of said non-upright articles toward the container in a horizontal sidewise direction substantially normal to the direction of advance of Ithe articles and container, thereby to bring said articlesv into register with and partially in certain of the container cells, and elevating the opposite ends of said articles whereby to gravitationally deposit the same in upright. position in said cells, all without interrupting the longitudinal travel of the articles and container.

y 8. A method vof depositing elongated articles. in acell-type container, comprising concurrently advancing in a longitudinal path a group of the articlesdisposed in horizontal position and a container disposed on one side thereof, shifting said. articles laterally away from the container to align thel same longitudinally, returning said articles toward the container in a horizontal sidewise direction substantially normal to the direction of advance of the articles. and container, thereby to bring said articles into register With and partially in certain of the container cells,

zontal position anda container disposed on one side thereof, shifting said articles laterally. away from the container towalign the same longitudinally, returning said articles toward the container in a horizontal sidewise direction substantially normal to the direction of advance of the articles and container, thereby to bring said articles into register with and partially in certain of the container cells, and causing said articles to assume vertical position in said cells, all Vwithout interrupting the longitudinal travel of the. articles and container.

10. A method of depositing. elongated articles in acell-type container, comprising longitudinally advancing a group of upright articles and deflecting the same toward horizontal position while so advancing, depositing a container on one side of the group, shifting said deflected articles laterally toward the container into register With and partially in certain of` the cells thereof, and therafter moving said articles reli2 lative to said container to restore the same to upright position in said cells.

1l. Container lling apparatus comprising a` longitudinally translatable carriage, means to translate the carriage, means for feeding -a row of upstanding articles parallel to the direction of translationv of said carriage, means to deflect said articlesV from upstanding position toward,

horizontal position on the carriage for advance therewith, means for advancing a cell-type container on one side of and parallel tothe direction of `translation of said carriage, means operative in timed Arelation to the advance of said carriage,v and after said articles are in horizontal position thereon, to shift the articles laterally and horizontally from said carriage toward the container as the latter advances and into predetermined relation to certain Vof the cells thereof.

l2. Container filling apparatus comprising a longitudinally translatable carriage having means defining a plurality of article receiving compartments, means to translate the carriage, means for feeding a row of upstanding articles parallel to the direction of translation of said carriage,v

means to defiect said articles from upstanding position toward horizontal position in said compartments for advance therewith, means for advancing a cell-type container concurrently with` and on one side of said carriage, and means operative in timed relation to theadvance of said carriage and container to shift the articles laterally from said carriage compartments toward the container into predetermined relation to certain of the cells thereof.

i3. Container filling apparatus comprisinga carriage having a plurality of article receiving com'partments7 means to continuously translate said carriage longitudinally, means for feeding a row of upstanding elongated articles parallel to the direction of translation of said carriage, means to defiect said articles from upstanding position and into said compartments for advance with the. carriage, means on said carriage to engage and advance a cellular container concur.- rently with and on one side of said carriage, means to shift the deected articles toward the container into predetermined relation to the interior thereof, and means for thereafter restoring the articles to upstanding position in said interior.

14., Container filling apparatus comprising a carriage having a plurality of article receiving compartments, means to continuously translatev said carriage longitudinallymeans for feeding. a row of upstanding elongated articles parallel to the direction of translation ofV said carriage, means to deflect said articles from upstanding positionr and into said compartments for advance with the carriage, means on said carriage to engage and advance a container concurrently with and on one side of said carriage, means operative in timed relation to the advance of said carriage and container V to shift the deflected articles toward the container into predetermined relation to thel interior thereof, and means for thereafter restoring the articles to upstanding position in said interior.

l5. Container filling apparatus comprising a carriage having a plurality ofvarticle receiving compartments, means to continuously translate said carriage longitudinally, means for feeding a row of upstanding elongated articles parallel to theA direction of translation of said carriage; means to deflect said articles from upstanding position' and into said compartments for advance ments engageable with the advancing articles to tilt thesame to upright position.

16. -AV container filling apparatus offthe type described, comprising a conveyorfadapted to receive and transport a pluralitylofupright articles in va longitudinal path, means to deflect said articles into laterally extending position on said conveyor, means to advance a container adjacent and parallel tothe path of travel of said conveyor, and means to shiftl the articles laterally from said conveyor into the container and to restore said articles to upright position in the container, said last named means acting during advanceof said container and articles.

117. A container filling apparatus of theftype described, comprising a continuously operative conveyoradapted to receive and advance va plurality of uprightarticles in a longitudinal path, means to deect said advancing articles into laterally extending position on said conveyor, means to advance a container adjacent and parallel to the path of travel of said conveyor, and means including xed, shaped, articleengaging means to shift the advancing articles laterally from said conveyor into the container and to restore said articles to upright position in the container, said last named means acting during advance of said container and articles,

18. A container filling apparatus of the type described, comprising a conveyor adapted to receive and transport a plurality of upright articles in a longitudinal path, means to deect said articles into laterally extending position on said conveyor, means to supply and position a container adjacent the path of travel of said conveyor, comprising an overhead supply chute and a vertically oscillable transfer arm operable in timed relation to said conveyor to receive containers from the chute and deposit the same adjacent said path, means to advance a container parallel to said path, and means to shift the articles laterally from said conveyor into the container and to restore said articles to upright position in the containers, said last named means acting during advance of said container and articles.

19. Container filling apparatus comprising a conveyor adapted to receive and transport a plurality of articles, means to laterally tilt and deposit upright articles in horizontally extending position on said conveyor, means to position a container adjacent the path of travel of said articles, means to advance a container parallel to said path, and successively acting means to shift the articles in said horizontally extending position laterally from said conveyor toward and into the container and to restore said articles t upright position in the container, said last named means acting during advance of said container and articles.

20. Container filling apparatus comprising ya conveyor adapted to receive and transport a plurality of articles, means to dispose a plurality of upright articles laterally adjacent said rst named means, means to laterally tilt and deposit the upright articles in horizontally extending position on said conveyor, means to position a container adjacent" the path" of travel of said articles, meansto advance a container parallell to said path, and successively acting means tov shift the articleslin said horizontally extending position laterally from said conveyor toward and into thecontainer and to restore said articles toV upright position in the container, said last named means acting during advance of said container and articles. i v e i 21.` Container filling apparatus of the -type described, comprising acontinuously operative' con'- veyor having pairs o f` carriages thereon' divided in compartments adapted to receiveand transport groups of articles, meansto drive said conveyor, meansV to advance upstanding articles in parallel rowsto position laterally adjacenttlfie` respective carriage pairs, means engageable with the advancing articles in' said respective rows to tip the same laterallyinoppositedirections and deposit the articles 'in `hcrizontal position in said respective carriage compartments', a swingable container transfer member positioned adjacent the path of travel of saidcarriages and driven in timed relation to the latter to transfer containers from a supply thereof to a position-between- 'the advancing carriages,l said carriages havingineansl engageable -with the transferred containers to advance the latter concurrently therewith, means to shift groups of articles laterally from said `carriages toward the container advancing therewith, and means acting subsequently to said last named means to restore said articles to upstanding position in the container.

v 22. A method of loading containers of the type characterized ley` a plurality of article-receiving cells dened at least in part by side walls on opposite sides thereof, comprising disposing articles to be loaded in linear succession and in parallel rows, positioning a container between said rows with the cells thereof in respective register with said certain articles, shifting said articles of said respective rows laterally toward one another and said side Walls to bring the same in vertical aligiment with said cells and at least partly within the lateral limit of said respective walls, and causing said shifted articles to drop by gravity into the vertically aligned cells.

23. A method of loading containers of the type characterized by a plurality of articlereceiving cells defined at least in part by side walls on opposite sides thereof, comprising advancing articles to be loaded in linear succession and in parallel rows, positioning a container between said rows with the cells thereof in respective register with said certain articles, advancing said container with said articles, shifting said articles of said respective rows laterally toward one another and said side walls during advance of the container and articles to bring the same in vertical alignment with said cells and at least partly within the lateral limit of said respective walls, and causing said shifted articles to drop by gravity into the vertically aligned cells while so advancing.

24. A method of loading bottle carriers of the type characterized by a side Wall which is apertured above its lower marginto receive and confine b'ottles resting in upright position on the carrier bottom, comprising linearly advancing bottles in succession in a non-vertical position,

advancing one of said carriers concurrently with` and generally parallel to said bottles on one side thereof while maintaining lateral alignment of the carrier Wall apertures with certain of said bottles, causing relative lateral shift of said carrierand said certain bottles while advancing to at least partially ins/ertthe ends of said certain bottlesl in said wall apertures, and tilting the opposite ends of said certain bottles toward vertical position to cause gravitational entry of the bottlesy into the carrier in upright position therein. Y

25a Apparatus Vfor loading bottle carriers of the type characterized by a side wall which is apertured'V above its lower margin to receive and conne bottles resting in upright positionon the earrier bottom, comprising means for linearly advancing bottles in succession and inv a nonvertical disposition `of saidbottles, means for advancing one of said carriers parallel to and onone side of said bottles, means for causing,- relative lateral shift of said carrier and certain kof said bottles while advancing to at least partially insert the ends of said certain bottles in said wall apertures, and meansfor tilting the opposite ends of said certain bottles toward verticalposition to cause gravitationalentry of the bottles into the carrier in upright position therein. y

Y26. Apparatus for loading bottle carriers of the typev characterized by av side wall which is apertured above its lower margin to receive and confine bottles resti-ng in upright position on the.

carrier bottom, comprising means for advancing bottlesl in succession-inr a Vertical disposition, means for disposing said advancing bottles in a non-vertical position, meansl for advancing. one

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,090,855 Jagenberg. 'Mar. 24, 1914` 1,243,406 Hawthorne Oct. 16, 1917 1,679,402 Brown Aug. 7, 1928 2,069,926 Read Feb. 9, 1937 2,179,648 Thayer Nov. 14, 1939 

